Title: Aloe Vera Found Effective for Anti-cavity in Oral Care

Researchers reported that aloe vera can cleanse, sooth and fight cavities when formulated into oral care products. The oral benefit of the popular skin care ingredient was published in the May/June 2009 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.

Aloe vera tooth gel, according to the report, eliminates pathogenic oral microflora in the mouth, similar to toothpaste. The study compared the germ-fighting ability of an aloe vera tooth gel to two commercially popular toothpastes and revealed that the aloe vera tooth gel was just as effective, and in some cases more effective, than the commercial brands at controlling cavity-causing organisms.

The researchers reported that aloe vera tooth gel is less harsh on teeth than most commercial toothpastes due to its absence of abrasives. Therefore, they recommended the gel as an alternative for people with sensitive teeth or gums. It was noted, however, that not all aloe vera tooth gel contains the proper form of aloe vera. Products reportedly must contain the stabilized gel that is located in the center of the aloe vera plant in order to be effective.

In addition, according to Dilip George, MDS, co-author of the study, aloe vera gel products must not be filtered or treated with excessive heat during manufacturing, as this destroys or reduces the effects of certain essential compounds, such as enzymes and polysaccharides.